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Economics

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Economics is a discipline concerned with the consumption, production, and transfer of wealth by and among individuals (microeconomics) and communities or nations (macroeconomics); subspecialties range from economic development and planning to health economics and international economic relations. RAND's many economists contribute to multidisciplinary research projects by exploring the intersections where economics informs social, military, and governmental policy decisions.

Report
The Abraham Accords Could Have Wide-Reaching Economic Benefits
The Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations represent a possible new chapter in the region's development—away from conflict and toward a shared vision of economic prosperity. Israel's partners could gain 150,000 new jobs. And that could grow to 4 million new jobs over a decade if other nations join.
Mar 18, 2021
Research Brief
A New Approach to Measuring Income Inequality
A new method for measuring income inequality reveals that, from 1975 to 2018, the only group for which actual income gains exceeded U.S. GDP growth was the group near the 99th percentile of income distribution.
Apr 30, 2021

Explore Economics

Commentary
This Is Not a Great-Power Competition
The emerging conventional wisdom among foreign policy analysts in Washington is that a new era of great-power competition is upon us. But does that phrase really capture today's reality?
May 29, 2019
Journal Article
External Threat, Internal Rivalry, and Alliance Formation
Coalitions of rivals, while formidable against common threats, may find it difficult or impossible to avoid struggles among themselves even if they share an enemy.
May 15, 2019
Report
Tool Created to Help Multinational Companies Assess Risk of Bribery When Doing Business in Foreign Countries
Corruption can hinder global business investment — particularly in emerging markets — but multinational companies often have difficulty assessing the business bribery risk in other countries. A new tool, called the TRACE Matrix, can help.
May 13, 2019
Testimony
Russia and China in the Middle East: A New Era of Strategic Competition
Increased Russian and Chinese engagement in the Middle East in recent years underscores that America is in a new period of strategic competition. To prevail, the United States needs to have a vibrant and productive economy, to protect the international order, and to invest in its network of allies and partners.
May 9, 2019
Blog
Why Are Drug Prices So High in the United States?
Ezekiel J. Emanuel is vice provost for global initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy. In 2018, he delivered the Albert P. Williams Lecture on Health Policy at RAND, where he offered a framework for thinking about drug pricing.
May 3, 2019
Commentary
Finding the Real Will of the People
It's not surprising that the British Parliament is struggling to find a solution to the Brexit impasse. That's because the 2016 vote revealed nothing about the sort of Brexit people actually wanted. When researchers asked Brits to choose between four options in 2017, there was no obvious winner.
Apr 30, 2019
Tool
DPRK Sanctions: Countering DPRK Proliferation Activities
This tool provides an understanding of sanctions regimes currently in force against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Apr 29, 2019
Blog
School Reform, Sanctions, Russian Aggression: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on what educators think about school reform, the devastating impacts of economic sanctions, deterring Russian aggression in the Baltics, and more.
Apr 19, 2019
Commentary
Book Review: 'Unrivaled' by Michael Beckley
In Unrivaled: Why America Will Remain the World's Sole Superpower Michael Beckley argues not only that U.S. preeminence is safer than most contemporary commentary would have one believe, but also that it is more resilient.
Apr 18, 2019
Commentary
A Warming Trend in China–Russia Relations
The China–Russia relationship is indeed growing across military, economic, and political dimensions. But it is still more anchored in shared grievances than in common visions. Both countries contest U.S. interests, but in different ways. Washington should treat them as separate strategic challenges.
Apr 18, 2019
Commentary
When Are Economic Sanctions Worthwhile?
For American policymakers, economic sanctions are too often the soft choice between doing nothing and taking effective but risky or expensive action. Yet, before they inflict years, perhaps decades of impoverishment and worse on entire populations, they should ask if their efforts are likely to succeed and are worth punishing an entire people to do so.
Apr 15, 2019
Commentary
The Syrian Civil War Is Coming to an End
Coalition forces have driven ISIS from its final patch of territory in Syria. But the bigger challenge will be ending the ongoing civil war and rebuilding Syria to bring home millions of refugees and internally displaced people. This means creating a state that can provide safety, security, and opportunity that forestalls further rebellion and devastation.
Apr 8, 2019
Commentary
Addressing Surprise Medical Bills Without Raising the Cost of Health Care
Patients who try to stay within their insurers' networks can be hit with surprise bills when they unknowingly receive care from out-of-network physicians. How much should a physician be paid for providing a service that is critical but rendered without the patient's ready ability to choose an in-network provider?
Apr 1, 2019
Commentary
Life After Brexit Need Not Be a Disaster for the UK
Leaving the European Union without a deal will be costly for Britain. But there are actions that could be taken now to help improve the economic prospects of a fully independent UK.
Mar 18, 2019
Report
How frequent night-time bathroom visits can negatively impact sleep, well-being and productivity: Examining the associations between nocturia, well-being and economic outcomes in a working-age population
Nocturia, a urinary tract condition causing numerous night-time bathroom visits, can have negative impacts on sleep, wellbeing and productivity. Our results show a set of associations between nocturia and a range of conditions, outcomes and factors.
Mar 11, 2019
Commentary
Public Evidence of Huawei as a Cyber Threat May Be Elusive, but Restrictions Could Still Be Warranted
Although a “smoking gun” of Huawei involvement in government-directed espionage remains elusive, the United States has compelling security and economic reasons to consider limiting the involvement of Chinese telecommunications companies in its domestic networks.
Mar 7, 2019
Commentary
Investing in Russia's Future
Russia's economic problems can be traced to sanctions, lack of investment and lack of reform. The Kremlin has the power to address these problems. Reforms could unlock economic potential, and enable Russians to improve their living standards.
Mar 1, 2019
Blog
Syrian Workers, Iranian Spies, Jihadi Brides: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on jobs for Syrian refugees, Iran's efforts to spy on the United States, the complicated cases of jihadi brides, and more.
Feb 22, 2019
Commentary
Who Should Fund U.S. Research and Development?
The United States is in a global technology competition with important economic and national security implications. Government leadership and funding for shaping national research and development priorities will be essential.
Feb 22, 2019
Commentary
Health Funding—Finally Something We Can Agree On
At a time when it has become common to think of the UK as a divided society, there are important questions of policy on which a great many people agree. How to fund the ever-growing needs of the NHS and social care is one such area of agreement.
Feb 21, 2019

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RAND Topic:
Economics

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Cristian Cardenas

Ph.D. Student, Pardee RAND Graduate School, and Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Cristian Cardenas (he/him) is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D. student in the Community-Partnered Policy and Action stream at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. He has an M.B.S. in clinical and regulatory affairs from Keck Graduate Institute and a B.S. in biotechnology with a…
Moon Kim

Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Moon Kim is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a Ph.D candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. At RAND, he works on policy issues related to space policy, defense policy and science and technology policy. He also develops statistical models for quantitative analyses and cost…

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